State's surplus-land sales prompt environmentalists' concern

10:30 AM,
Aug. 22, 2013

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Environmental groups are balking at parts of a new list of state-owned conservation land targeted for sale, with proceeds used to purchase other land deemed of greater value to buffer military bases and protect water resources.

The initial list, prepared by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and presented to the public Wednesday evening, includes 169 proposed surplus sites totaling 5,331 acres in 67 state parks, forests and wildlife areas. DEP officials say the land being considered for sale is less than 0.2 percent of the 3 million acres held by the state through its ...